Stripped

[Typhoon1244]

This is what happens when you park at one of those FBO's in the bad part of town...

 

[Timebuilder]

Ha!!

Must have been the firewall AD!!!

 

[crowbar]

Why would a riddle plane overnight at Massey Ranch, that's a stone's throw from DAB.

 

[AA717driver]

crowbar--Awsome avatar. Hope she got to ride more than the bike! TC

 

[ShawnC]

Why would a riddle plane overnight at Massey Ranch, that's a stone's throw from DAB.

MX. Riddle doesn't do all of it's own.

 

[chperplt]

MX. Riddle doesn't do all of it's own

Since when does ERAU not do all of its own MX? AND... If they don't do it all themselves, when did Massey Ranch get a MX facility?

 

[ShawnC]

Since when does ERAU not do all of its own MX? AND... If they don't do it all themselves, when did Massey Ranch get a MX facility?

That's what I was told. But Massey has quite a few businesses for such a small airport. When I was last there, an experimental engine manufacture was based their (at least their hanger was), an L-39 assembler was going to be based there (not sure the current status, might have fallen through), and at least one A&P/IA was there, along with the rag draggers.

I liked that airport, it was nearly as diverse at Spruce Creek, without the private property feel, and big fences.

 

[chperplt]

Are we talking about the same Massey Ranch?? The one north west of New Smyrna and up until 01 was a private airport?

 

[ShawnC]

Are we talking about the same Massey Ranch?? The one north west of New Smyrna and up until 01 was a private airport?

North west, that would be Spruce Creek, 7FL6, that's still a private airport and fly-in community. There are a couple of businesses that operate there, but nothing super heavy for noise and space reasons.

Massey Ranch, X50, is Southeast of New Smyrna, closer to Edgewater.

 

[chperplt]

I have my directions messed up... I was not talking about Spruce Creek.

In 01 Massey Ranch had nothing but the runway and a taxiway that only went about 2/3 down the runway.

 

[ShawnC]

I have my directions messed up... I was not talking about Spruce Creek.

In 01 Massey Ranch had nothing but the runway and a taxiway that only went about 2/3 down the runway.

It's still that (at least the last time I was there).

But there are still businesses there, heck even seen a King Air operate out of there (not sure it was 90 or 100, but it was empty). Not the best airport to operate out of, but it's probably cheaper, and has more space available than the other options around Daytona.

 

[LearLove]

I know this sounds bad but try to think of it from a diff POV.

I think its awsome that riddle got ripped off. They rip off students everyday with thier way out of hand flying and other education costs. I hope it was a student that did this and is now using the cash to get his/her ratings. Kind of like robbinhood (sp?).

I didn't go to ERAU but would love to go back and rip off my college. Education costs today are out of hand, especially private institutions with good reps. O well I'll get off my horse.

Like I said, I know it sounds bad, i'm not trying to be a jerk its just my reaction.

 

[efiscompmon]

LearLove,

Yeah, my first thoughts were "someone had a tuition payment coming up"

 

[ShawnC]

LearLove,

Yeah, my first thoughts were "someone had a tuition payment coming up"

LOL

That's funny I can just picture someone going to the cashier and paying with a radio or a GPS.

BTW does anyone know if the dual per an hour cost has gone over $200 at Riddle?

 

[HAZ-MAT]

Its about $360 an hour (includes instructor) for a flight in the Seminole....

As far as Mx in X50.. doesn't sound right. Riddle has (had in 01) a 24 hour Mx hangar right on the ramp, so maybe it was an ex-Riddle one that someone bought after the lease ran out (a guess) but whatever the case may be... we werent allowed to go to Massey Ranch. Kinda funny about the caption talking about being stolen at night, and then he's apologizing about the poor lighting conditions on the pic because he took it at night... hmmmm

 

[Nikes]

360 an hour ? Wow, out here in PRC they are paying about 240 w/ IP.

-Nikes

 

[wickedpilot]

XXXX, I thought you guys were supposed to ditch it in the Atlantic after the "lift?"

 

[merikeyegro]

um...not quite

Posted by HAZ-MAT:

Its about $360 an hour (includes instructor) for a flight in the Seminole....

Might I ask what your source is? Curious, since I work at ERAU-DB as a CFI. That price is not even close. Please check your facts before smearing a business.

If you'd like, I'll compare our flight costs to those of other schools and offer a little explanation. Now, for the tuition here, I have no explanation. It's downright robbery. I'll be the first to tell you that their costs are a little out of whack. Not very good financial controls here. Here are our flight costs wet:

C172S (oldest is 1999, on 4-year leases from Boeing) - $107/hr
PA-28R-201 Arrow (oldest is 2002, also on leases) - $120/hr
PA-44-180 Seminole (oldest is 1991) - $202/hr

Level 6 C172 FTD - $55/hr
Level 6 PA-44 FTD - $135/hr

Instruction - $45/hr

Pay here starts at about $14/hr + faculty benefits which include 3-to-1 matching 403(b); health, dental, and vision PPO or HMO; tuition credits up to 6 credits per semester; use of exercise facilities, AOPA membership, and union representation from the IAMAW. 3-year CFIs work for about $20/hr now.

MTC here is almost entirely done in house with a zero tolerance policy. If anything is broken, the airplane is downed and fixed immediately. If you get stuck off the field with a broken plane, they pay you for missed activities and any time spent on that field with the plane. If you have to stay overnight, the university reimburses you. Any maintenance that can't be done here gets farmed to shops with whom the Dir of MTC has a positive personal relationship. The X50 shop has been used in the past. We also have agreements with a shop in Charlotte Cty (PGD) to do some heavy maintenance from time to time.

All aircraft, save about 5 C172s, are currently equipped with IFR-certified GPS from either Bendix or Garmin. The FTDs have full cockpit mock-ups (exact replicas) and 220-degree visuals. Pretty cool. Feels like you're actually flying them. The students seem to like them. All aircraft will be equipped with ADS-B equipment soon and will be operational once the FAA gets off its butt and installs the stuff on the ground.

If you compare costs to Epic Aviation down in New Smyrna Beach (similar equipment, employee pay and benefits, and type of operation), we're not bad at all. Their C172S goes for $108/hr. They don't have a Seminole or Arrow. They have a Seneca, but I'm not sure what it goes for these days. I heard around $170/hr. Their instruction goes for $40/hr. So, we're really not that bad. Their planes are equipped with some crazy stuff like Stormscope and radar, I think. I hear they're a good operation with likeable management and ownership. We lose some students to them here and there.

Anyway, that plane in the picture was stolen overnight from X50 and flown to Skinner Nursery on the southwest end of Crescent Lake and stripped. It was pretty nasty. The plane had to be trucked home and is here now.

Nonetheless, I understand not liking ERAU. They're a pain in MY ass sometimes, and I work for them. However, get your facts squared away if you intend to slander them. Nobody pays $360/hr for a Seminole. How bad do you think we are?

Just my $.02...

 

[HAZ-MAT]

merikeyegro, My bad boss.. ment to put 260 rather than 360... fast typing. Yea, i'm an '01 graduate, so there's no knocking Riddle on my half.. they got me the job i'm at, so it was well worth the time and investment to attend university there.
so simmer down, and enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Cheers

 

[merikeyegro]

Fair enough. I'll take a chill pill down here and smoke a blunt. $260 is a little more like it ($252, to be exact). Glad you got a good job. Where you at, anyway?

Adios, muchacho...